Nissan Primera III (1999 - 2002) - 00 1.8 Clutch judder

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Wed 30 Apr 2008 17:14
00 1.8 Clutch judder - Waino
I wonder if any of you chaps have any experience of problems with a Primera clutch?

A few weeks ago, the Primera (70k miles) went in to have the clutch replaced as there was noise coming from the clutch release bearing. Apart from that, the clutch was operating smoothly, albeit stiff to operate. On picking the car up it, the noise from the bearing had been solved, but it had developed a judder when releasing the clutch. The car was returned to the same garage and the clutch replaced - but the judder was still there.

The main suspect is 'faulty' replacement clutches....... but could it be something else?

Any ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks,

Waino
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Wed 30 Apr 2008 18:21
00 1.8 Clutch judder - zookeeper
loose engine mounts ?
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Wed 30 Apr 2008 18:57
00 1.8 Clutch judder - Lud
It could be engine and gearbox mountings that have gone a bit soft. But it's much more likely to be oil contamination of the flywheel face and clutch lining. Even greasy handmarks will do it.

In the past I have sometimes eliminated this sort of judder with a bit of judicious clutch abuse to burn the oil off. But I hesitate to recommend it as a technique, and the garage seems to be responsible.

I would add: did the garage renew the whole clutch assembly, or just the friction plate and thrust bearing? It's always a good idea to do the lot while the thing is in pieces, but I have no idea what Primera clutches cost.

Edited by Lud on 30/04/2008 at 18:59

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Wed 30 Apr 2008 19:56
00 1.8 Clutch judder - Peter.N.
I'm with Lud. try slipping it gently while pulling away on a hill, it should burn it off.
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Thu 1 May 2008 22:18
00 1.8 Clutch judder - Waino
Many thanks for your comments.

Lud, I have to admit to ignorance - I didn't know that a clutch could be wholly or partially replaced - but I will certainly check this out. The first replacement is being checked by the manufacturers but my son has now driven back to London in the car and reports that the second replacement is juddering significantly less than the first one.

We are hoping that it will settle down - and maybe there was some slight oil contamination as suggested, and this will wear/burn off.

We'll see how things develop - and I'll report back.

Thanks again.
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